The I ♥ Cebu blog by Peanut Browas

​Lapu-Lapu was one of the rulers of the island of Mactan and the first native to resist colonial rule when he led his men in the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521. He is also considered as the first Filipino hero by modern Philippine society. A statue of Lapu-Lapu was erected in both Manila and Cebu. In fact, a 20-meter bronze statue of the native chieftain stands at the Lapu-Lapu Shrine, the site where the Battle of Mactan was believed to have happened.

Camp Lapu-Lapu – image source: Central Command, AFP Facebook Page

​It is all but fitting to name the home of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines after the first Filipino hero. Camp Lapu-Lapu is the home of the AFP Central Command, which is one of the Wide Support Commands of the AFP fighting against terrorism and insurgency in the Visayas.

Camp Lapu-Lapu – image source: Central Command, AFP Facebook Page

History

The history of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines started on May 17, 1942 when the 3rd Military Area (3MA) was activated under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). The wartime military unit was given the task of providing an effective defense against the Japanese Imperial Army. It had command and control over all allied forces within the Visayas and Mindanao areas. During this time, the headquarters of the 3MA was in Camp Guadalupe, which is the present-day Barangay Guadalupe. The military unit was later transferred to its present location in Camp Lapu-Lapu following the end of the war.

Camp Lapu-Lapu – image source: Central Command, AFP Facebook Page

​The place went through a number of changes from being the headquarters of the 3MA to the base of operations of the Battalion Combat Team in the 1950s. In the 1970s, it was the headquarters of the CEMCOM, which covered operations in Mindanao during the Muslim rebellion. The 3rd Brigade Separate also called the place home under the command of then Gen. Fidel V. Ramos. The camp was also the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) in 1975 before the creation of the Regional Unified Command (RUC). When the RUC merged with other commands in the region, the Visayas Command (VISCOM) was created to become the operating unit controlling Internal Security Operations (ISO) of the AFP in the Visayas. The command was later called the present-day Central Command of the AFP.

Camp Lapu-Lapu – image source: Central Command, AFP Facebook Page

Mission of the Central Command

According to the Facebook Page of the Central Command of the AFP, its mission is “to intensify the conduct of sustained peace and security operations in the Visayas to significantly degrade the armed capability of KR-P, KR-N, KR-SB, EVRPC and other threat groups in order to help create an environment conducive for sustainable development and a just and lasting peace.”

Camp Lapu-Lapu – image source: Central Command, AFP Facebook Page

​Aside from military operations, the Central Command of the AFP also conducts medical and dental missions within its area of responsibility. They are also among the first ones to provide relief operations whenever natural calamities occur within the Visayas area. The Central Command was among the first units to provide relief to the victims of typhoon Yolanda. In addition, the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines also participate in the annual Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education in preparation for the school year. The present commander of the Central Command of the AFP is Major General Raul del Rosario.

Camp Lapu-Lapu – image source: Central Command, AFP Facebook Page

​Camp Lapu-Lapu of the Central Command is home to the brave men and women in uniform who risk their lives to ensure peace and stability prevails in the land of their birth.